WBO Skips Khurtsidze, Installs Canelo as Saunders' Mandatory
Posted: 22 Dec 2016, 03:55
The WBO has paved the way for Canelo Alvarez to finally make his debut as a full-fledged middleweight in his next fight.
According to a report posted by espn.com’s Dan Rafael on Wednesday night, the Puerto Rico-based sanctioning organization has installed Alvarez as the mandatory middleweight challenger for its 160-pound champion, Billy Joe Saunders. The Mexican superstar still is considering facing countryman Julio Cesar Jr. at a catch weight in his next bout, but could choose to fight for Saunders’ WBO middleweight title.
The WBO’s championship committee ruled, according to espn.com, that Alvarez was better suited to become its mandatory middleweight challenger over Khurtsidze because it’s “in the the best interest of boxing.” Khurtsidze’s handlers had petitioned the WBO earlier this month for him to be installed as its mandatory middleweight contender, but the WBO’s championship committee favored the request submitted by Alvarez’s handlers. Brooklyn’s Khurtsidze (32-2-2, 21 KOs) has 10 days, in accordance with WBO rules, to appeal the WBO’s decision.
Khurtsidze has been waiting patiently for his title shot. The Republic of Georgia native hasn’t boxed since he stopped then-undefeated Antoine Douglas (19-1-1, 13 KOs) in the 10th round March 5.
http://www.BS.com/wbo-skips-kh ... ry--112000
Very unfair.. Money/santioning fees talk. Some guys bust their ass to the number 1 spot.
According to a report posted by espn.com’s Dan Rafael on Wednesday night, the Puerto Rico-based sanctioning organization has installed Alvarez as the mandatory middleweight challenger for its 160-pound champion, Billy Joe Saunders. The Mexican superstar still is considering facing countryman Julio Cesar Jr. at a catch weight in his next bout, but could choose to fight for Saunders’ WBO middleweight title.
The WBO’s championship committee ruled, according to espn.com, that Alvarez was better suited to become its mandatory middleweight challenger over Khurtsidze because it’s “in the the best interest of boxing.” Khurtsidze’s handlers had petitioned the WBO earlier this month for him to be installed as its mandatory middleweight contender, but the WBO’s championship committee favored the request submitted by Alvarez’s handlers. Brooklyn’s Khurtsidze (32-2-2, 21 KOs) has 10 days, in accordance with WBO rules, to appeal the WBO’s decision.
Khurtsidze has been waiting patiently for his title shot. The Republic of Georgia native hasn’t boxed since he stopped then-undefeated Antoine Douglas (19-1-1, 13 KOs) in the 10th round March 5.
http://www.BS.com/wbo-skips-kh ... ry--112000
Very unfair.. Money/santioning fees talk. Some guys bust their ass to the number 1 spot.